Liposuction (fat removal with vacuum = Liposuction) is a surgery to remove regionally accumulated excess fat with a vacuum.
This surgery should be postponed in those who are pregnant and have a weight loss plan. All drugs-herbal products used and smoking should be shared.
Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss method. It is a surgery that tightens the abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal muscles. Liposuction is often used for retouching. It is not right to perform it at the same time as birth; at least 6 months should be waited.
The surgery is performed in the hospital under general or regional (waist) anesthesia and lasts 2-4 hours. It is entered through an incision hidden under underwear. The abdominal muscles are strengthened and the skin is tightened and closed, so when you wake up you will find yourself in a “V” shape, curved at the waist. Your drains are removed in 1-4 days. It is recommended that you walk by bending forward. If dissolvable stitches were used, they do not need to be removed. A corset is used for 1 month. In addition to classic tummy tuck, mini-abdominoplasty can be preferred in those with relatively tighter abdomens and limited skin laxity. Here, the incision is short and the recovery period is also shorter. Circumferential abdominoplasty can be preferred in those with all-around sagging and obesity surgery.
How Long Does Tummy Tuck Surgery Take?
The duration of tummy tuck surgery varies from person to person. While a full tummy tuck surgery, called total abdominoplasty, takes approximately 3-3.5 hours, the surgery can be up to 4 hours in people with a wide abdominal area.
In mini tummy tuck surgeries, which are performed on patients with milder laxity, sagging and similar problems and do not cover as large an area as total abdominoplasty, the surgery time is shorter and the operation is completed in a short time of 1-1.5 hours. The amount of excess skin in the abdominal area, whether fat will be removed, the area of the abdominal area, the suture technique to be applied and the condition of the abdominal muscles are some of the factors affecting the surgery time. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and must be performed in a hospital environment with appropriate conditions and equipment.
Abdominoplasty Recovery Period
Although it varies depending on the surgical conditions after the abdominoplasty, patients are usually discharged after 1-2 days of hospital care. After the abdominoplasty, patients are usually advised to wear a special corset. This corset, which is worn continuously for 1 month, increases the success of the surgery by helping the abdominal area reach the desired shape. You can stand up and walk with the help of a relative approximately 3-4 hours after the surgery, and you can walk slowly without help the day after the surgery.
It is normal to have pain for a while due to the procedures and stitches performed in the abdominal area during the surgery, and your doctor will apply the necessary painkillers. You can take a bath 2-3 days after the surgery and feel comfortable enough to do your daily work on your own. During the first week, you should avoid coughing, sneezing, straining, etc. as they can hurt you and damage your stitches if they are severe, since they can cause damage to your stitches.
If you do not work in a heavy job, you can return to work in approximately 7-10 weeks, depending on your doctor’s recommendations and whether you feel well or not. This information is valid for full tummy tuck surgeries, and in mini tummy tuck surgeries, which are performed to solve milder problems, the recovery period is shorter, but patients can return to their daily lives in 3-4 days.
